Objective
Human agency is exercised on the foundation of basic behavioural control mechanisms: systems that coordinate independently-moveable body parts into useful movement patterns, i.e. behaviours (grasping, walking, etc.). These mechanisms control when and how movement patterns run. They lie mid-way between full-fledged human agency and the pervasive ‘biological agency’ of even single-celled organisms. This project asks: how has evolution designed these mechanisms to function and what does that reveal about the nature of agency?
A dramatic transition occurred when animals evolved to manipulate appendages in fine-grained ways using muscles, neurons and brains (fins, claws, wings, digits, etc.). We will gain insight into this form of behavioural control by analysing its evolved functions. For instance, instead of being a kind of agency exercised at discrete choice points, functional considerations imply that an unfolding pattern of movement will be continuously modified by changing motivational states.
Philosophers disagree about how to deal with various cases that some argue to be sub-agentive. Contested cases include habitual actions, spontaneous actions, and arational actions like drumming one’s fingers. A functional understanding will clarify: (i) respects in which these mechanisms already display precursors of agency; (ii) respects in which human agency remains distinctive; and (iii) ways that the capacity for human agency relies on and interfaces with basic behavioural control. The project goes on to compare this biological foundation with the new AI, arguing that current systems lack the behaviour-control substrate on which human agency operates.
Methodologically, the work lies broadly in philosophy of science. Empirical findings serve as data for conceptual refinement, interrogation of agency criteria, and appraisal of competing accounts. The work-streams span: philosophy of biology(WS1), philosophy of mind and cognitive science(WS2), and philosophy of AI(WS3).
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
WC1E 7HU London
United Kingdom
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